ABSTRACT
Pathophysiological mechanisms and cascades take place after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can cause long-term sequelae, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy in patients with multiple concurrent TBIs. As diagnostic imaging has become more advanced, microanatomical changes present after mTBI may now be more readily visible. In this narrative review, the authors discuss emerging diagnostics and findings in mTBI through advanced imaging, electroencephalograms, neurophysiologic processes, Q2 biochemical markers, and clinical tissue tests in an effort to help osteopathic physicians to understand, diagnose, and manage the pathophysiology behind mTBI, which is increasingly prevalent in the United States.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have multiple autonomic disturbances that interfere with normal gastrointestinal motility. Many of the pharmacologic agents used in the intensive care unit (ICU) also adversely affect gastrointestinal motility. The body is further subjected to excessive levels of sympathetic discharge in states of traumatic injury and extreme stress, which can interfere with the proper absorption of fluids and nutrients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mesenteric lift, an osteopathic manipulative treatment technique, is effective in relieving constipation in patients with TBI who are intubated in the ICU. METHODS: This retrospective medical record review examined the effect of mesenteric lift on intubated patients with significant TBI who were unable to have a bowel movement within 72 hours of admission. The primary endpoint was the return of normal bowel function within 24 hours. A control group consisted of intubated patients with TBI during the same period who did not receive mesenteric lift. RESULTS: Of patients who received mesenteric lift, 77% experienced bowel movements (n=27 of 35), compared with 36% (n=16 of 44) in the control group (P=.01). CONCLUSION: The application of mesenteric lift to intubated patients with severe TBI in the intensive care unit significantly increased patients' ability to resume normal bowel function and expel waste.
ABSTRACT
Surgically accessing pathological lesions located within the central nervous system (CNS) frequently requires creating an incision in cosmetic regions of the head and neck. The biggest factors of surgical success typically tend to focus on the middle portion of the surgery, but a vast majority of surgical complications tend to happen towards the end of a case, during closure of the surgical site incisions. One of the most difficult complications for a surgeon to deal with is having to take a patient back to the operating room for wound breakdowns and, even worse, wound or CNS infections, which can negate all the positive outcomes from the surgery itself. In this paper, we discuss the underlying anatomy, pharmacological considerations, surgical techniques and nutritional needs necessary to help facilitate appropriate wound healing. A successful surgery begins with preoperative planning regarding the placement of the surgical incision, being cognizant of cosmetics, and the effects of possible adjuvant radiation therapy on healing incisions. We need to assess patient's medications and past medical history to make sure we can optimise conditions for proper wound reepithelialisation, such as minimizing the amount of steroids and certain antibiotics. Contrary to harmful medications, it is imperative to optimise nutritional intake with adequate supplementation and vitamin intake. The goals of this paper are to reinforce the mechanisms by which surgical wounds can fail, leading to postoperative complications, and to provide surgeons with the reminder and techniques that can help foster a more successful surgical outcome.
